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17 March 2009

Strangely, it took me quite awhile to determine what I wanted to call this blog and what the URL should be. I know, I know, it doesn't really matter, but it did to me. But then it all just sort of came to me. Not Surprisedactually has a dual purpose. Of course, it seemed a natural title considering everything that's happening in the world. Yes, I'm frustrated and saddened by so much of it, but at the same time, we had ample warning that this was all coming, so why should I be surprised? Then as I was flipping through my Bible, two passages stuck out to me: 1 Peter 4:12 "Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you." and 1 John 3:13 "Do not be surprised, brothers, that the world hates you." The words "do not be surprised" really stood out to me as I was literally simply flipping through the Word and I thought, "duh, Erin, everyone thinks you're crazy anyway, why are you surprised? God promised you they would!"

So then came the task of the URL. Revelation 22:20 is quite possibly my favorite promise in all of Scripture "He who testifies to these things says, "Surely I am coming soon." Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!" This also explains why I am so filled with hope! Hope for this world in its fallen state? Nope. Hate to break it to ya, but we're not recovering from this one! But hope for Christ's return and His eternal reign on a renewed Earth? Hope that He will rapture His church out of this place before the great hour of tribulation? You bet. And that's all the hope I need. That's the only promise I need. All I need to know...yes, know...is that Christ has promised that He will return.

So that's my explanation. Not that any of you were actually wondering, but there it is regardless. This blog will be filled with lots of links to articles, and I hope you take the time to read them. I'm going to try to show how prophecy is being fulfilled daily before our eyes. It's very easy for us to be only concerned with America when, in the end, America will slip into obscurity. This country is mentioned nowhere in Bible prophecy so don't plan on us recovering our great world power status. Of course, that's not to say that in the meantime, America won't become even more rampant with immorality than it already is! But instead, turn your attention to world events. Turn your attention to Israel and to Russia. Open your eyes to the very near New World Order, the one-world currency, the one-world religion. It's all coming. Soon. And if you're one of those scoffers who thinks it won't happen in your lifetime because "Jesus said all of that 2000 years ago and He still hasn't come back." Guess what--the time wasn't right for Him to come back before. Prophecies hadn't been fulfilled yet. Now the time is right--and ripe--for His return. And I believe He will rapture His church before the 7 years of tribulation. So scoff all you want right now, but if millions of us disappear one day, well, feel free to raid my fridge!

I'm no scholar. I'm no pastor. I'm just someone who loves Jesus. Someone who's made a lot of mistakes along the way and is bursting with thankfulness at the gift of His grace and salvation. And I'm someone who can't wait for Him to return! He tells us to be excited and eager for His return and that is one command that I have no problem obeying! So feel free to comment whether you agree or disagree. I only ask that you be respectful. Ask me questions. If I allude to Scripture without quoting the passage, feel free to ask me where it is! If I say something that is totally off the wall (which is bound to happen if it hasn't already), then ask me why I believe it. I'm just here to share with you what God is sharing with me. He's put it on my heart to anxiously await His return and to be mightily aware of the signs exploding all around us. I guess I consider myself to be one of His watchmen. If I don't sound the trumpet and warn you, then I have to explain myself to Him later. And quite honestly, I'd rather not have to do that!

"But if the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet, so that the people are not warned, and the sword comes and takes any one of them, that person is taken away in his iniquity, but his blood I will require at the watchman’s hand." Ezekiel 33:6

Truth is EVERYTHING

Christians today are in a battle, not of weapons, but of truth. Remember the words of the apostle Paul:

For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.(2 Timothy 4:3-4)

And do not forget the admonition of Jude:

Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints. (Jude 1:3)

If you have been blessed by the work of this blog, we would sincerely appreciate any prayerful support. "Do Not Be Surprised..." is not a 501(c)3 organization, and contributions are not tax deductible. Of course, we covet your prayers more than anything else!